The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) is the Australian Government agency responsible for the efficient management and sustainable use of Commonwealth fish resources on behalf of the Australian community.
They manage and monitor commercial Commonwealth fishing to ensure Australian fish stocks and their fishing industry are viable now and in the future. By doing so, they are aiming to make sure that healthy and fresh local seafood is available and affordable to all Australians for current and future generations.
For this to happen, they have strict fisheries management practices in place. They also have many programs to support their mission that are managed by experienced, qualified and passionate people.
AFMA has offices in Canberra, Darwin, Thursday Island and Lakes Entrance. They look after commercial fisheries from three nautical miles out to the extent of the Australian Fishing Zone. The states and the Northern Territory look after recreational, commercial coastal and inland fishing and aquaculture.
They provide fisheries management services to Joint Authorities of the Commonwealth and state governments, including the Torres Strait Protected Zone Joint Authority (PZJA). Through their foreign compliance functions, they work together with other Australian Government agencies and their international counterparts to deter illegal fishing in the Australian Fishing Zone.